What Kind Of Therapist Should I See For Depression Treatment?
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Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions worldwide. Due to its prevalence, there are hundreds of therapy modalities now available for treating this condition and others. However, having so many options available can be overwhelming or confusing, as it may lead people to experience confusion around the question, “What kind of therapist should I see for depression?”
If you are starting to explore treatment options for depression or another mental health challenge, you are not alone, and there are resources to assist you. It may be helpful to start with a better understanding of the condition and the therapy and treatment options available.
What is depression?
Depression is a serious mood disorder characterized by a persistent low mood and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, among other symptoms. Depression can be an umbrella term for all types of depressive disorders but is often used in reference to major depression, officially called major depressive disorder.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, some other types of depressive disorders include persistent depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and perinatal depression. A person with bipolar disorder may also experience depressive symptoms. Although symptoms of these conditions may vary, all depressive disorders have one characteristic in common: a persistent and chronic sadness or hopelessness lasting for a prolonged period.
Depression is more than feeling sad or having “the blues.” Depressive disorders encompass many physical and emotional symptoms that can negatively impact a person’s ability to function in their daily life. Depression can affect different people differently, and not everyone with depression will experience all the symptoms listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) for depressive disorders. That said, common symptoms of depression are listed below.
Physical and behavioral symptoms of depression
Below are some of the most common physical and behavioral symptoms of depression:
- A sense of fatigue or exhaustion
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering events or conversations, or making decisions
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
- Weight loss or gain
- Changes in eating patterns
- Lower energy levels and lethargy
- Achiness or intense pains without an explanation
- Agitation
- Decreased speed of movement and speech
- Isolation
- Avoidance of personal responsibilities
- Neglect of previously close relationships with family and friends
- New or increased substance use
- Decreased attention paid to personal hygiene
- Missing work or school
- Restlessness or nervous behaviors
- Self-harming
- Self-destructive behaviors
Emotional symptoms of depression
Below are a few of the most common emotional or mood-related symptoms of depression:
- Feeling persistent hopelessness, sadness, emptiness, worthlessness, or guilt
- Ongoing negative thoughts about oneself, others, or the world
- Persistent sensitivity to criticism
- Irritability and anger
- A bleak outlook toward the future
- A tendency to blame oneself
- Decreased self-esteem
- A single-minded focus on past mistakes and embarrassment
- A sense that one’s life cannot improve
- Loss of interest in activities and hobbies that once brought joy
- Internalizing criticism from other people
- Persistent thoughts of death, hurting oneself, or suicide
What kind of therapist should I see for depression?
Depression can cause several overwhelming symptoms, causing some to believe these symptoms signify a lack of hope for the future. However, depression is treatable with the support of the right health professionals, and many evidence-based treatment options are available.
Talk therapy with a psychotherapist as an evidence based-treatment
The American Psychological Association’s Clinical Practice Guideline recommends any of seven talk therapy interventions for treating depression in adults, including the following:
- Behavioral therapy
- Cognitive therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Supportive therapy
Two of the most widely used of these evidence-based health care approaches are CBT and IPT, so it may be helpful to look more closely at those modalities. If a particular treatment method seems like it would work best for you and your circumstances, consider consulting with some providers with experience in those modalities. Otherwise, you can usually meet with a therapist who engages in a general practice to get their professional opinion on what method might be right for you and the mental illness symptoms you may be experiencing.
Treat depression with CBT
Cognitive behavioral therapy is considered by many medical and mental health professionals to be the current gold standard of psychotherapy for treating a wide range of conditions, including depression.
CBT focuses on helping a client identify negative or maladaptive thought patterns and understanding the relationship between those thought patterns and their subsequent behaviors. This approach hinges on the idea that shifting unhealthy thoughts can result in improvements in emotions and behaviors along with a greater sense of overall well-being.
A mental health professional trained in CBT techniques may work with you on implementing activities or techniques to help you better understand your thoughts and adjust your behaviors, such as journaling, mindfulness, and behavior-reward practices.
Relieve symptoms with an IPT psychotherapist
Another type of therapeutic approach commonly used to address depression symptoms is interpersonal therapy (IPT). Mental health professionals trained in IPT can work with you on the interpersonal relationships and social connections in your life based on the understanding that your social network can play a significant role in managing mood disorders like depression.
IPT explores the connections between a person’s mood and their life as a whole, taking note of any impactful life situations or changes such as starting a new job, ending an intimate relationship, moving to a new location, or losing a loved one.
In doing IPT work, you may talk to your therapist about ways to develop or hone interpersonal and communication skills to build a stronger network of social support that may help you cope with depressive symptoms. Through interpersonal therapy, you may come to better understand how you relate to others and how those relationships can impact your mental health.
Do I need to see a doctor or psychiatrist for symptoms of depression?
The most effective treatment option for depression can vary from one person to the next, and for some people, the combination of therapy and antidepressant medications is most effective. If you’re interested in learning more about medication for depression, you should speak with a qualified health professional to determine what might work best for you.
Meeting with a primary care doctor or psychiatrist to talk about prescription medication for depression usually involves a discussion of your medical history and any other health concerns. However, note that prescription medication may not be necessary to treat depression in every case. Or, some people use it temporarily to control their mood while going to therapy. Consult a doctor or psychiatrist for medical advice before starting, changing, or stopping any medication.
Online support for depression with a mental health professional
If you’re not sure where to start in seeking treatment for depression, it’s usually helpful to begin by meeting with a licensed and qualified therapist. That said, if you are experiencing common depression symptoms like lethargy and exhaustion, it may be overwhelming to think about leaving the house to attend in-person therapy appointments. If this is your experience, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may be more approachable, as it allows you to meet with a licensed therapist from wherever you have internet, including the comfort of home.
Research has shown that online therapy can be an effective treatment option for many mental health conditions, including depression. One such study suggests that CBT conducted through online health services was associated with significant improvements in levels of depression, anxiety, and general distress.
Takeaway
If you are experiencing depression and don’t know where to start when seeking out treatment options, it may be helpful to narrow down what kind of therapist you are looking for to address your depression symptoms. Therapists can specialize in a range of therapeutic techniques, from cognitive behavioral therapy to interpersonal psychotherapy and more. Online therapy may be a beneficial option for you if you want to receive treatment without leaving the house.
Frequently asked questions
Which therapy is considered the best for depression?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, multiple approaches to depression therapy can be effective, including:
- Behavioral Therapy
- Cognitive Therapy
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Supportive Therapy
- Medications
What kind of therapist should I see for depression: a psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor?
Psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and therapists can all be helpful, but who you should see for depression (also called major depression or clinical depression) depends on the type of treatment you need and your personal preferences. Each of these professionals is trained to offer mental health support, and many have a master’s degree or higher, but there are some differences in the type of care and treatment they deliver.
For some people, the most effective treatment approach may be therapy combined with medication, but not all of these roles can prescribe medication.
Only psychiatrists, primary care doctors, and psychiatric nurse practitioners can prescribe antidepressant medications or medications to treat mental health conditions.
If you want to learn more about medication for depression, talk to your doctor or other qualified mental health professional. In some cases, patients may be able to have their medication prescribed and monitored by their primary care physician while they receive psychotherapy and learn coping skills from a counselor, clinical psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or other mental health professionals.
What kind of therapist should I see for depression, and who can diagnose it?
According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, multiple types of practitioners, including psychologists, counselors, clinicians, and clinical social workers, can diagnose clinical depression and provide professional treatment. Psychiatrists can diagnose and prescribe medications. Mental health nurse practitioners can treat and diagnose depression and prescribe medication independently in some states and under the supervision of doctors or psychiatrists in others.
Primary care doctors can prescribe medication, including antidepressants, but they are generally more experienced with analyzing physical symptoms and diagnosing medical conditions. Your doctor will likely perform a physical exam and may do blood tests to see if you have any deficiencies that may be contributing to your symptoms, like low levels of protein, B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, selenium, calcium, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. If so, they may recommend dietary supplements to correct these deficiencies, which may improve symptoms.
If you are experiencing severe depression, negative thought patterns, or concerning behavior patterns, it may be beneficial to work with a provider who specializes in mental health in addition to talking to your primary care physician.
Is it better to see a psychiatrist, counselor, or psychologist?
The type of provider that can benefit you most depends on the kind of care and treatment you need. For example, suppose you are having a major depressive episode, and your current treatment plan is ineffective. In that case, you may need intense treatment like brain stimulation therapies or electroconvulsive therapy and will likely need to see a psychiatrist.
That said, a counselor, psychologist, or therapist is qualified to provide other treatment approaches that can help with mild to moderate depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or anxiety disorder, like family therapy, group therapy, or individual therapy sessions.
Mental health care is covered by health insurance in the United States, but it can be beneficial to check with your provider. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) prohibits health plans from imposing barriers on access to mental health or substance use disorder benefits that don't apply to medical and surgical benefits, but you may still be responsible for copays and other fees.
Is it worth receiving treatment and/or therapy for depression from a mental health professional?
Yes. Depression is one of the most treatable mental disorders, with between 70% and 90% of people eventually responding well to treatment. The effects of medication and therapy for depression can take time to work, so you may not see improvement in the first few weeks, but symptoms can generally improve with treatment in the long run.
How many sessions are required for depression?
How many sessions are required for depression can depend on many variables, including symptom severity and the type of treatment. Most types of psychotherapy consist of weekly sessions that can last anywhere from six to 80 weeks or more.
How long do people stay in therapy for depression?
How long someone will need therapy for depression treatment depends on a number of factors, including whether they have other disorders, the severity of their symptoms, and the type of therapy. For example, treatment with behavioral therapy is generally once a week for 20 to 24 weeks, whereas cognitive therapy can range from eight to 28 weeks. Other forms of treatment can vary, too. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can last from six to 20 weeks, while a type of psychodynamic psychotherapy called interpersonal psychotherapy lasts 16 to 20 weeks on average. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy generally lasts only eight weeks, whereas psychodynamic therapy can last up to 80.
How long do people go to therapy for depression?
How long people go to therapy can depend on their symptom severity, the type of treatment, and how well they respond to it. Some research indicates that 50% of people report improved symptoms after 15 to 20 sessions, and other studies have determined that 12 to 16 weekly sessions can result in clinically significant improvements. Some practitioners and people with depression may prefer to extend treatment to 20 to 30 sessions for more complete symptom remission and for patients to feel more confident in their ability to maintain their goals once they leave therapy.
How do I know If I need therapy?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, symptoms of depression can include weight gain or loss, frustration, irritability, fatigue, sleep disturbances, or feelings of hopelessness, anger, or irritability. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you may want to consider talking to a mental health professional. The decision to begin therapy is a very personal one, but the American Psychological Association provides some guidelines for people to consider.
If you are dealing with a problem that impacts your mental well-being, the APA recommends using two guidelines to determine if therapy can help: is the problem distressing, and is it interfering with your life?
Ask yourself: Do you spend a lot of time thinking about it? Is it embarrassing or something that you feel you cannot discuss with others? Is this problem affecting your quality of life? If you answer “yes” to these questions, working with a mental health professional can help.
Who should I talk to if I feel depressed?
If you are feeling depressed, you can talk to your doctor, a therapist, or a friend or loved one. Young adults and teens who are experiencing depression may find it helpful to attend both individual and family counseling with their parents and other family members to improve communication and support within the family unit.
Some organizations offer support groups and education online, like the Bipolar Support Alliance and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
If you need immediate assistance or are having a mental health crisis, call, text, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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